The Life of Warren S. Usner

Warren S. “Sam” Usner, 90, of Lansdowne, a former railroad worker who managed a food bank for 30 years after retiring, died Monday of heart failure at Bryn Mawr Hospital in Bryn Mawr.

 

Born in Philadelphia, Mr. Usner attended Overbrook High School and served five years in the U.S. Marine Corps. Discharged in 1950, he went to work for the Pennsylvania Railroad, where he worked as a car inspector, repairman, carpenter and locksmith. A member of the United Transport Workers, he held a number of positions with the union local, including vice president. In the 1970s, while working at the 30th Street railyard, Mr. Usner befriended a homeless man, Martin “Soup” Campbell, and opened his repair shop to Mr. Campbell for nightly shelter. He fed Mr. Campbell for many months, arranged for him to get a set of false teeth and eventually was able to reunite him with his family.

 

A member of area churches throughout his life, Mr. Usner gave of his time on numerous church projects, including building cabins at a church camp, and was involved in a variety of outreach ministries. He also did free home repairs for fellow church members in need. Mr. Usner retired in 1987 after 42 years on the railroad. He then became a driver for Meals on Wheels and eventually, with his wife Jane, took over the management of the Upper Darby Food Cupboard at the then Calvary Presbyterian Church in Upper Darby.

 

In 2015, he and his wife received a Friends of Education Award for community service from the Upper Darby Education Association. The couple has also been honored by the Marine Corps League for their service. Mr. Usner is survived by Jane, his wife of 70 years; a son, David W. Usner (Patricia); two daughters, Deborah Miller (James) and Cynthia McGroarty (James Kirschke); granddaughters Meredith McGroarty and Gretchen Miller; a grandson, Timothy J. Miller; a great-grandson Edward Rubenstein; and two nieces.

 

Burial will be at Arlington Cemetery in Drexel Hill. A luncheon will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Upper Darby Food Cupboard, 7766 Wayne Ave., Upper Darby, PA 19082.